Snorkeling / Diving in Eastern Central Florida - Where?

[LJA]

I've always wanted to go diving and snorkeling in the keys but just don't have the money and time to become dive certified. I have lived in Florida for the past 15 or so years and have heard of a few good places to go snorkeling but not sure which ones need require a boat or other certain things.

I would like to find a few places that have some nice coral reefs, fish, clear water with good visibility on the right day and just be a good spot for a couple first time snorkelers.


I live around Melbourne Beach and am considering heading to somewhere is West Palm Beach, or might even go to the keys for spring brake.


If anyone has some advice and areas I should check out I would really appreciate it!


Thanks.

[RicksReefs]

because of the C-44 canal that connects lake O with the saint lucie (stuart) inlet that discharges nastyiness into the ocean and heads north, you'll need to head to jupiter or further south to get clear water. the best times for any shore dive/snorkeling is on the last half of the incoming tide (3 hours or less before high tide). there's not to many shore/beach spots for good snorkeling, but the inlets to the indian river lagoon provide some cool areas to snorkel.
I use the beach cams to determine whether it's worth going before I leave the house. here's a couple that might be of help.

Jupiter inlet (http://evsjupiter.netfirms.com/main.htm)

Palm Beach Inlet (http://www.co.palm-beach.fl.us/webcams/lwi/)

here's a page to one of the better shore spots at the PB inlet but they recently outlawed collecting there.
Blue Heron Diving Spot (http://www.wadespage.com/D800DS06RF01.shtml)

[Gatorzone19]

There is alot of spots around Palm Beach Inlet and Jupiter Inlet. I dive primarily around Palm Beach Inlet on incoming tide. There are French angels, queen angels, grey angels, blue angels, Flame Cardinals, Pistol Shrip, Banded Coral Shrimp, Blue Head Wrasses, rock beauties and there are many more you can collect.

[moneyman6891]

I live just north of you and their isnt much for snorkeling, you can go to Palm Beach, thats a great place. I have dove their a few times and loved it.

[bimmertech]

gotta come out here near palm beach. great flower garden just off the beach behind the breakers.